Brandon Smith to Join Souths in Shock Mid-Season Transfer: Roosters Release Star Hooker to Rival Club

The Sydney Roosters are reportedly preparing to part ways with star hooker Brandon Smith, who is set to make a shock mid-season switch to arch-rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The move, reported by CODE Sports, follows a turbulent period for the Roosters, coming just days after news broke that winger Dominic Young is free to leave the club, and weeks after in-form prop Terrell May was surprisingly cut from the roster.

Negotiations between the Roosters and Rabbitohs have been underway for the past 48 hours, with a deal expected to be finalized before the end of the week. As part of the agreement, South Sydney will pay a $180,000 transfer fee to secure Smith’s services for the remainder of the 2025 season. Smith had already agreed to a three-year deal with Souths beginning in 2026, but the Rabbitohs have now succeeded in fast-tracking his arrival.

Smith, currently sidelined with an ACL injury and expected to return in six weeks, has struggled to replicate his Melbourne Storm form since joining the Roosters. With Connor Watson excelling at dummy half and backup hooker Sandon Smith available, the Roosters are confident in their depth and are looking to reinvest the $800,000 salary they save. Part of the funds will reportedly go towards locking in emerging talents like Naufahu Whyte and Blake Steep, while also supporting a potential big-money play for Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans in 2026.

This move marks another significant shake-up for the Roosters and adds a dramatic new twist to the historic rivalry between the two powerhouse clubs.